What seems like a simple question — How many Hispanics are living in the United States? — has become surprisingly complex as the 2010 census approaches.
Hispanics and other minorities have historically been undercounted in the once-a-decade survey. Advocacy groups are now launching their traditional efforts to ensure an accurate count, but a variety of factors have created new problems for the painting of America's official portrait.
Activists and government officials say fears over immigration enforcement and government snooping are making people more reluctant to share their information. The economic meltdown and Bush administration budget cuts have slowed funding for the census. Millions of laid-off renters and foreclosed homeowners are on the move. READ FULL STORYRead more…
Hispanic leaders in Chicago have met with Democrat Roland Burris and say they support him despite outstanding questions about his appointment to the U.S. Senate by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
About a dozen community leaders sat down with Burris at his Chicago office Monday morning.
Afterward, one participant, Carlos Arango, told reporters that Hispanics want to put the controversy surrounding Illinois' junior senator behind them and work with Burris.
Another community leader, Omar Lopez, says Immigration and housing came up at the meeting. But he says no one broached the issue of Burris' appointment. READ FULL STORYRead more…
In an effort to target the fast-growing Hispanic population and increase its grocery sales, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) plans to convert two of its existing Neighborhood Market's to test supermarkets aimed specifically at Hispanic shoppers.
The 39,000-square-foot Supermercado de Walmart, in large Hispanic communities Phoenix and Houston, will open in the first half of the year, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amy Wyatt-Moore said in an interview. The layout, signs and product assortment will be changed to better target that demographic group, she said. READ FULL STORYRead more…
Press Release
Contact: Marie Watteau
(202) 785-1670
March 16, 2009
NCLR EXPRESSES PROFOUND DISAPPOINTMENT WITH DECISION AGAINST SAENZ
Washington, DC—Janet Murguía, President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, expressed profound disappointment today that distinguished civil rights attorney Thomas Saenz is no longer a candidate to head the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Thomas Saenz was a great choice to oversee a department tasked with enforcing federal statutes to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin. He follows the law meticulously and is one of the best litigators our country has. He has dedicated his entire career to the fight for justice, equal opportunity, and dignity for those who have no voice,” said Murguía.
“We are concerned that his name may have been pulled from consideration over his ‘position on immigration’ and the signal that it sends to young lawyers weighing careers in upholding the nation’s civil rights laws. Mr. Saenz has successfully litigated cases based on the merits of immigration law and has done so with integrity and professionalism. Where he stands on an issue is not as significant as his understanding of the law and his ability to argue the facts.”
“I am confident that at his confirmation hearing Mr. Saenz would have been able to address any questions related to his litigation work on immigration based on the facts of the cases he argued and the law. Unfortunately he will not be given that opportunity,” continued Murguía.
“This action may lead some to question whether the White House is ready to fulfill its promise on immigration reform. Along with the nomination of Tom Perez as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, the Latino community will be looking for further reassurance that this is not the case. Nonetheless, the administration missed an opportunity to bring the debate back to the merits of the law, rather than succumb to the shrill voices of fear,” concluded Murguía.
Read more…
Posted by Ruben Torres on March 16, 2009 at 5:59pm
Hello my awesome friend.I pray that this email will find you doing exceptionally well. You truly are an amazing, incredible, wonderful human being. It is my prayer that God will truly grant you ALL the desires of your heart, and that you may fulfill ALL your goals, ambitions, and dreams, may they come to pass, ALL of them.I just wanted to assure you to keep moving forward. Keep taking steps forward and never stop moving. When it seems that no one hears you, listens to you, and your feeling discouraged, not wanting to keep moving forward and pressing on, I say to you today keep pressing ON!!! When you have heard one thousand No's, you are that much closer to a YES!!!!! You are so so so close to a YES!!!! I urge you today to keep asking, keep seeking and keep moving!! Your there!! The price is at your footstep! You are a World Changer!!When Colonel Harland Sanders retired at the age of 65, he had little to show for himself, except an old Caddie roadster, a $105 monthly pension check, and a recipe for chicken.Knowing he couldn't live on his pension, he took his chicken recipe in hand, got behind the wheel of his van, and set out to make his fortune. His first plan was to sell his chicken recipe to restaurant owners, who would in turn give him a residual for every piece of chicken they sold--5 cents per chicken. The first restaurateur he called on turned him down.So did the second.So did the third.In fact, the first 1008 sales calls Colonel Sanders made ended in rejection. Still, he continued to call on owners as he traveled across the USA, sleeping in his car to save money. Prospect number 1009 gave him his first "yes."After two years of making daily sales he had signed up a total of five restaurants. Still the Colonel pressed on, knowing that he had a great chicken recipe and that someday the idea would catch on.Of course, you know how the story ends. The idea DID catch on. By 1963 the Colonel had 600 restaurants across the country selling his secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (with 11 herbs and spices).In 1964 he was bought out by future Kentucky governor John Brown. Even though the sale made him a multi-millionaire, he continued to represent and promote KFC until his death in 1990.Colonel Sanders' story teaches an important lesson: its never too late to decide to never give up.Earlier in his life the Colonel was involved in other business ventures--but they weren't successful. He had a gas station in the 30's, a restaurant in the 40's, and he gave up on both of them. At the age of 65, however, Harland Sanders decided his chicken idea was the right idea, and he refused to give up, even in spite of repeated rejection.He knew that if he kept on knocking on doors, eventually someone would say "yes." This is how Jesus has commanded to approach life. He said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9) This verse follows a story Jesus told emphasizing the importance of a "never-give-up" attitude in prayer. Jesus is saying, "Ask--not just once, but as many times as is necessary. Keep on knocking till the door is opened." If you have made half-hearted attempts at doing God's will in your life...if you have given up too easily in the past...remember: It's never too late to become persistent. It's never too late to decide to never give up. Keep on knocking. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking.Ruben Torres-Life Coach/Motivational SpeakerBeautiControl Consultant.Note: Excerpts taken Inspirational Lane
Read more…
Submission deadline for the Summer Internship Program is March 22nd, 2009
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of Media Affairs
For Immediate Release February 26, 2009
President Obama Launches White House Internship Program
President Obama today launched the White House Internship Program for his administration and announced that applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009. Those selected to participate in the program will gain valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff while building leadership skills.
“This program will mentor and cultivate young leaders of today and tomorrow and I’m proud that they will have this opportunity to serve,” said President Obama. “I look forward to working with those that are selected to participate and I want to commend all who apply for their desire to help through public service to forge a brighter future for our country.”
In addition to normal office duties,20interns will supplement their learning experience by attending a weekly lecture series hosted by senior White House staff, help at White House social events, and volunteer in community service projects.
The 2009 Summer Internship program runs from May 22 to August 14, and the submission deadline is March 22, 2009.
Those interested in applying to the White House Internship Program must be:
• US Citizens
• Eighteen years of age on or before the first day of the internship.
• Enrolled in a college or university (2-4 year institut ion) or must have graduated from college in the past two years.
Interns will be placed in a departmental office for their internship. Below is a list of departments in the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President where interns could be placed.
* White House Department of Scheduling and Advance
* The Office of Cabinet Affairs
* The White House Communications Department
* The White House Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs
* The Office of the First Lady
* The White House Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA)
* The Office of Political Affairs
* The Office of Management and Administration
* The Office of White House Counsel
* The Domestic Policy Council
* The White House Office of Presidential Personnel
* Office of the Vice President
More information on the White House Internship Program, including application instructions, can be found at:
Read more…
Bert and Ernie may be looking for a third roommate, as the poor economy has finally reached "Sesame Street."
Sesame Workshop, the shows production company, will cut one-fifth of its work force because of the economic downturn, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Sixty-seven of 355 staff positions will be eliminated. READ FULL STORYRead more…
There are no Hispanic principals or assistant principals in Metro Nashville Public Schools, where Hispanic students make up 14 percent of the enrollment — with much higher percentages in some schools.
That's among the multitude of issues that the newly formed Association of Hispanic Educators will explore as it sets goals to increase educational opportunities for Hispanic students, teachers and staff. READ FULL STORYRead more…
U.S. President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner received failing grades for their efforts to revive the economy from participants in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey.
The economists' assessment stands in stark contrast with Mr. Obama's popularity with the public, with a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll giving him a 60% approval rating. A majority of the 49 economists polled said they were dissatisfied with the administration's economic policies.
On average, they gave the president a grade of 59 out of 100, and although there was a broad range of marks, 42% of respondents rated Mr. Obama below 60. Mr. Geithner received an average grade of 51. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke scored better, with an average 71. READ FULL STORYCLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEORead more…
As the economic crisis gathered steam last year, Americans became increasingly stressed out and experienced worsened mental health — a trend that continues today, according to a landmark Gallup-Healthways poll out this week.
Done nearly every day in 2008 and still ongoing, the survey of 355,334 people is believed to be the largest, longest and most thorough poll showing how emotional well-being shifts with economic changes. READ FULL STORYRead more…
My wise old grandmother used to invoke the Spanish phrase, "When money is tight, a nickel isn't worth a dime."
Actually, that's not a phrase in Spanish (I think it's Yogi Berra). And my grandmother has never passed along anything resembling sage-like insight. She's much more likely to complain that young people don't wear enough clothes.
The point is that we Latinos don't have any special wisdom for dealing with this economic disaster, which has become (say it with me) the worst crisis since the Great Depression. In fact, the statistics indicate that Hispanics are ill-suited to weather this financial maelstrom. READ FULL STORYRead more…
He urged new spending and accountability, linking his priorities to the success of the economy.
President Obama on Tuesday sharply criticized the U.S. public school system and outlined a strategy to reward good teachers and fire bad ones, establish uniform academic achievement standards and increase spending on the first and final stages of a person's education.
In a speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Obama called on teachers unions, state education officials and parents to change a "relative decline of American education" that "is untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy and unacceptable for our children." READ FULL STORYRead more…
Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM) will host a leadership conference to provide Hispanic professionals with valuable tools to enhance leadership skills and expand their professional networks.
“These resources can help set Latinos apart in this competitive, shrinking job market,” said Yvonne Brodsky, Executive Director of HPGM.
The half-day event will promote leadership development among Hispanic professionals. It will be held on Friday, March 20 at the Wisconsin Club from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. This year’s conference will provide professionals with a forum to share leadership experiences across industry sectors, opportunities for professional development and a platform for networking. READ FULL STORYRead more…
Community alliances fighting to keep the affordable healthcare provider open
Elia Arenas, an unemployed resident of Pilsen, was searching for a clinic that provided affordable healthcare services in her neighborhood. She was referred to the UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) Women’s Community Clinic, 1858 W. 18th St., which provides annual gynecological exams, prenatal services and other family medical services. She has been visiting the clinic for over a year. READ FULL STORYRead more…
February's higher-than-anticipated U.S. jobless rate of 8.1 percent shook America on Friday morning. It was a stat not seen since December 1983 -- except in black America, which has had rates above 8.1 percent for all but six months since 2001.
The unemployment rate for blacks in the United States hit 13.4 percent in February, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday. READ FULL STORYRead more…
Our immigration laws are out of whack. And they are clogging our federal prisons with nonviolent folks who are guilty of nothing more than living, working and raising families here without proper documentation.
A Pew Hispanic Center study released in mid-February documents how Latinos now make up 40 percent of the estimated 200,000 prisoners in federal penitentiaries, triple their share of the total U.S. adult population and disproportionate to their representation in state and local jails (19 percent and 16 percent, respectively). READ FULL STORYRead more…
Before Karen Hoyos moved to New York City from Colombia, she was a housewife and expectant mother. She didn't work outside the home and had never once thought of becoming a motivational speaker.
But Hoyos did move to the United States, driven to seek shelter with family in Queens as she fled from her husband, who beat her.
She could never have imagined that only five years later, having raised twin boys on her own, she would be working as a successful motivational speaker and life coach, on the eve of publishing her first book, making appearances on national television and traveling the United States and beyond. READ FULL STORYRead more…
Martín Moreno, a nationally known muralist and co-owner of a Phoenix gallery, is part of a group that plans to launch a Latino cultural center. “It's kind of embarrassing (that Phoenix doesn't have such a cultural center in place),” he says.
When Elizabeth Gauna closed the Museo Chicano in January, it wasn't just the end of a small Phoenix museum.
It left a city of 1.5 million people, 40 percent of them of Hispanic descent, without a Latino art museum.
While major Latino museums have sprung up in big cities, including Long Beach, Calif.; Albuquerque; and San Antonio, Phoenix has lagged behind. READ FULL STORYRead more…
When black and Hispanic Medicare recipients suffer severe heart failure, they are less likely than their white counterparts to be treated with the most cutting-edge treatment available, a new analysis suggests.
"We found that there were real but modest differences between racial and ethnic groups in the use of the most advanced devices for the treatment of severe heart failure, even after considering all the medical and diagnostic factors when providing those treatments," explained the study's author, Dr. Steven A. Farmer, a fellow of cardiovascular medicine in the cardiovascular division of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. READ FULL STORYRead more…
For so many girls – Latina or not – the issues are the same: money, health, sex, career, education, boyfriends.
Each year, South County educators bring together girls and mentors to talk about these and other tough subjects as part of a daylong celebration of Latinas. There's pan dulce and advice on finances, mariachi music and warnings about date rape.
The 16th annual Adelante Mujer South Bay Conference is scheduled for Saturday at Eastlake Middle School in Chula Vista. Adelante Mujer is Spanish for “Go Forward Woman.” The free event is open to sixth-through 12th-grade girls in South County and their mothers or guardians. READ FULL STORYRead more…
